---
description: task decomposition and backlog management
globs:
alwaysApply: true
---
# Governance: Tasks

## Task Principle

Tasks should make work reviewable, verifiable, and low-risk.

## Good Task Characteristics

- single clear outcome
- explicit boundary/scope
- testable acceptance check
- realistic size for one focused execution pass

## Decomposition Guidance

Break large work into tasks by behavior boundaries, not by files.

Prefer:
- "add contract validation for X"
over
- "edit 5 files"

## Backlog Hygiene

- keep status current (`todo`, `in_progress`, `blocked`, `done`)
- prioritize unblocked high-impact work
- record blockers with required decisions
- avoid duplicate or stale tasks

## Execution Discipline

- complete one scoped task with evidence
- update task status immediately
- move to next highest-priority unblocked item
- stop only for blockers, empty backlog, or defined limits

## Task Completion Evidence

A task marked done should reference:
- changed artifacts (paths)
- verification run(s)
- residual risks or follow-up tasks